Apparatus and method for electrosurgical suction with suction band and replaceable tips

Abstract

The invention pertains to techniques or processes for managing surgical smoke. In one embodiment a suction apparatus evacuates the surgical smoke. For example, the suction apparatus may be arranged adjacent to an electrocautery electrode, which may generate smoke during operation, for evacuating smoke from a surgical site.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A suction apparatus for an electrosurgical pencil that alternatively employs one of a plurality of differently shaped electrocautery electrodes comprising:
 a housing having a ring manifold with a ring lumen extending substantially around the ring manifold, the ring manifold having an inner perimeter adapted to releasably receive the electrosurgical pencil, the ring manifold having an outer perimeter; 
 a rotatable suction control band substantially encircling a plurality of suction intake ports arranged about the outer perimeter of the ring manifold for variably sealing the plurality of suction intake ports of the ring manifold, so as to variably control suction provided externally to the plurality of suction intake ports for evacuating smoke that is to be generated by the electrosurgical pencil; 
 an extendable suction tube supportively coupled to the housing, the extendable suction tube comprising a main suction tube to be alternatively coupled with at least one of a plurality of differently shaped suction tip extension members, wherein each of the differently shaped suction tip extension members is shaped for receiving a corresponding respective one of the differently shaped electrocautery electrodes; and, 
 an extension control slideably coupled with the housing and coupled with the extendable suction tube for controlling extendable movement of at least one of the differently shaped suction tip extension members over the corresponding respective one of the differently shaped electrocautery electrodes. 
 
     
     
       2. A suction apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the suction tip extension members are to have a respective one of a plurality of differently shaped lumens, so that each of the plurality of differently shaped lumens is shaped to receive the corresponding respective one of the differently shaped electrocautery electrodes. 
     
     
       3. A suction apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the suction tip extension members are to have respective one of a plurality of different longitudinal dimensions, so that each of the longitudinal dimensions of the suction tip extension members is to be selected for receiving the corresponding respective one of the differently shaped electrocautery electrodes. 
     
     
       4. A suction apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the suction tip extension members are to have a respective one of a plurality of different radial dimensions, so that each of the radial dimensions of the suction tip extension members is to be selected for receiving the corresponding respective one of the differently shaped electrocautery electrodes. 
     
     
       5. A suction apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the suction apparatus is adapted for receiving at least one electrode extender to be alternatively coupled with one of the plurality of differently shaped electrocautery electrodes. 
     
     
       6. A suction apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the suction tip extension members is adapted to receive at least one electrode extender to be alternatively coupled with one of the plurality of differently shaped electrocautery electrodes. 
     
     
       7. A suction apparatus as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an engagement member for releasably securing the suction apparatus to the electrosurgical pencil. 
     
     
       8. A suction apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the suction apparatus is separable from the electrosurgical pencil. 
     
     
       9. A suction attachment for an electrosurgical pencil configured to replaceably receive differently shaped electrocautery electrodes, the suction attachment comprising:
 a ring manifold having a lumen extending substantially around the ring manifold, the lumen for conducting smoke evacuated by the ring manifold, the ring manifold having an inner perimeter adapted to releasably receive the electrosurgical pencil; 
 a rotatable suction control band substantially encircling a plurality of suction intake ports arranged about an outer perimeter of the ring manifold for variably sealing the plurality of suction intake ports, so as to variably control suction provided externally to the plurality of suction intake ports for evacuating smoke that is to be generated by the electrosurgical pencil; 
 an attachment housing supportively coupled with the ring manifold, the attachment housing adapted to be fluidly coupled with one of a plurality of differently shaped suction tip extension members, the differently shaped suction tip extension members being shaped to receive a corresponding respective one of a plurality of differently shaped electrocautery electrodes; and, 
 an engagement member for releasably securing the suction attachment to the electrosurgical pencil. 
 
     
     
       10. A suction attachment as recited in  claim 9  wherein a plurality of suction control ports penetrate the rotatable suction control band, each of the plurality of suction control ports being arranged adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of suction intake ports for variable alignment therewith, so as to provide variably controlled suction for said evacuating of said smoke that is to be generated by the surgical instrument. 
     
     
       11. A suction attachment for an electrosurgical pencil that replaceably employs one of a plurality of differently shaped electrocautery electrodes comprising:
 an attachment housing; 
 an extendable suction tube supported by the attachment housing, the extendable suction tube comprising a main suction tube configured to be replaceably coupled with at least one of a plurality of differently shaped suction tip extension members, the differently shaped suction tip extension members being shaped for receiving a corresponding respective one of the plurality of differently shaped electrocautery electrodes; 
 a ring manifold supportively coupled to the attachment housing, the ring manifold having a lumen extending substantially around the ring manifold, the ring manifold having an inner perimeter adapted to releasably receive the electrosurgical pencil, the ring manifold having an outer perimeter; 
 a rotatable suction control band substantially encircling a plurality of suction intake ports arranged about the outer perimeter of the ring manifold for variably sealing the plurality of suction intake ports of the ring manifold, so as to variably control suction provided externally to the plurality of suction intake ports for evacuating smoke that is to be generated by the surgical instrument; and, 
 an engagement member for releasably securing the suction attachment to the electrosurgical pencil. 
 
     
     
       12. A suction attachment as recited in  claim 11  wherein the suction attachment is adapted for receiving at least one electrode extender for alternatively coupling with one of the plurality of differently shaped electrocautery electrodes.